Motherwell v Celtic: McGhee’s men the value pick this weekend

Well have won five straight in Ladbrokes Premiership

Title run-ins are fraught with the well-worn cliché that is a host of twists and turns and the destination of the Ladbrokes Premiership trophy could still be unclear after Celtic take on Motherwell this weekend.

The Bhoys are currently five points clear of Aberdeen in first place but the gap could be far narrower if Well can maintain their fantastic late season form.

Celtic’s form, four wins and a draw from their last five games, is hugely impressive and what we’ve come to expect from the Parkhead outfit.

Even that is outshone by Well, however, with Mark McGhee’s men leaving a potential relegation battle in their rear window by reeling off five successive wins to sit fourth in the standings.

And, while Celtic are unbeaten in seven of the last eight meetings with the Fir Park side, winning five of those games, Well’s 2-1 away win earlier this season shows the North Lanarkshire side can match their illustrious opponents when on top of their game.

With that in mind, and Celtic priced as 2/5 favourites to take all three points, the value certainly seems to lie in backing the Steelmen at 13/2.

One thing is for sure though and that’s that a win won’t come easy for the hosts, McGhee’s men have kept just two clean sheets at home this season, while the Hoops have failed to score on their travels just once.

The latter stat is largely down to the form of league top scorer Leigh Griffiths, who has pounced no fewer than 26 times this season.

More impressive, however, is that exactly 50 per cent of those goals have come first in Celtic’s games so there will plenty of interest in the 5/2 on the former Livingston and Dundee man forcing Well to come from 1-0 down.

And at 80/1, taking the above into account, opting for the home side to prevail 2-1 with Griffiths netting the opener is sure worth another well-worn cliché – a cheeky punt.

Those thinking the champions can take a step toward retaining the crown could be tempted by our latest price boost which sees the odds on a Celtic win with both teams scoring enhanced form 7/4 to 9/4.

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After studying for a degree in journalism and gaining his NCTJ, James contributed to a wide range of papers, online publications and broadcasters including the South London Press, Press Association and Sky Sports News before joining the Ladbrokes News team.

Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming Ltd. is licensed (licence no. 1611) and regulated by the British Gambling Commission for persons gambling in Great Britain and LC International Limited, Suites 6-8, 5th Floor, Europort, Gibraltar, is licensed (RGL Nos. 010, 012) by the Government of Gibraltar and regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.